The Master and Margarita: A Novel of Good and Evil in the Soviet Union

The cornerstone of Stalin's Soviet Union in the 1930s was the perpetual threat of war. This period was marked by a strict adherence to Marxist-Leninist ideology, which permeated every aspect of life in the Soviet Union. Against this backdrop, Mikhail Bulgakov wrote his magnum opus novel, The Master and Margarita, which explores the theme of good and evil through the juxtaposition of the metaphysical with the real atmosphere of the Soviet Union.

In his novel, Bulgakov embeds a series of binaries that serve as a commentary on his lived experience as a writer in the Soviet Union. These binaries include Moscow and Jerusalem, representing the contrast between good and evil, while also highlighting the tension between the sacred and the profane. The novel's use of fantasy and the ordinary is another example of these embedded binaries, which Bulgakov uses to contest the reality of the Soviet ideological landscape.

Through his characters, particularly the Master and Margarita themselves, Bulgakov explores the theme of good and evil in a way that is both creative and curious. The Master, a poet and writer, represents the power of art and creativity, while Margarita, a woman who has made a pact with the devil, embodies the corrupting influence of power.

Bulgakov's use of satire in his novel also serves to highlight the moral limitations of the Soviet system. By critiquing the excesses of communism through his characters' interactions with censorship and criticism, Bulgakov shows how the system stifled creativity and individuality. His motivation for continued writing was rooted in a desire to preserve ideas, themes, and notions that were excluded from the Soviet ideological landscape.

In conclusion, The Master and Margarita is a novel that challenges readers to confront the complexities of good and evil in the face of totalitarianism. Through its use of binary oppositions, satire, and fantasy, Bulgakov's novel presents a creative and curious exploration of the human condition, one that continues to resonate with readers today.

Photo courtesy of Theatre Near the Bridge Perm/Wikimedia Commons. Poster for production Master and Margarita in Theatre Near the Bridge in Perm (2005).

Master and margarita text